While thanks to social distancing and improved hygiene, the number of reported Influenza cases is currently at a record low, it remains a significant risk, especially to those in vulnerable groups or age brackets.

Gastroenteritis, or ‘gastro’ as we commonly call it, is one of the top ten reasons our Doctors get called out after hours. While usually not life threatening, gastro can be a debilitating and unpleasant experience for patients and their carers, particularly when they don’t fully understand why they are suddenly sick.

With winter approaching, respiratory illnesses are on the rise – and a very common illness in young children is croup. The barking cough and hoarse breathing can be alarming for parents and patients alike…

Apart from finger paintings and the odd collage, the unfortunate reality is that the thing your child will most likely bring home from childcare is an infectious illness.

Working in the after hours, our Doctors are frequently called to the bedside of a person requiring palliative care or end-of-life care. Some of these patients may be in an aged care facility, while others are at home.

Coronaviruses can make humans and animals sick. Some coronaviruses can cause illness similar to the common cold and others can cause more serious diseases, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). This new coronavirus originated in Hubei Province, China and the disease outbreak is named COVID-19.

Shingles, also know as ‘zoster virus’ or ‘herpes zoster’, is caused by the same virus responsible for chicken pox. It is a skin rash than can be very painful, occurring mainly but not exclusively amongst older adults in the population.

As winter approaches the community braces for an onset of infectious illnesses – coughs, colds, flu, gastro, skin complaints, eye infections and now COVID-19.

The Easter break is prime time for Aussies to go on holidays, particularly if it coincides with the balmy days of early autumn.